Stretchable wrist bands with secret messages

ABSTRACT

A stretchable wrist band includes a message printed on an outer portion thereof, wherein the message is indecipherable when the wrist band is in its relaxed state, but the message may be read when the wrist band is stretched out. The wrist bands may also include pictures or designs, rather than (or along with) text, and the pictures or designs may only be properly perceived when the wrist band is in the stretched state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to ornamental, stretchable wrist bands that include messages on an outer portion thereof. More specifically, the present invention includes a stretchable wrist band with a message printed on the outside, wherein the message is printed or affixed to the wrist band in such a way that the message may only be read and perceived while the wrist band is in a stretched out state.

There are currently a variety of commercially available ornamental wrist bands in existence. For example, famed cyclist Lance Armstrong set up a charity that sells elastic wrist bands emblazoned with the words LIVE STRONG, in order to raise awareness of cancer. Other types of stretchable wrist bands include inspirational messages, such as LOVE, PERSEVERANCE, DEDICATION, etc. Still other types of stretchable wristbands are formed into various shapes in the unstretched state, such as shapes of animals, under the brand name SILLY BANDZ.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,741, issued to Harris, discloses a stretchable knitted article of predominately terry loop construction with a design printed thereon. The design is printed on the plain region whereby it maintains its definition and continuity of appearance when stretched in ordinary use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,758, issued to Rendina, is directed to a changeable message stretch band, which allows the wearer to communicate words and expressions via the use of removably attached graphics, including letters, numerals, designs and the like, in a combination selected by the wearer, whereby the wearer may change the message on the stretch band.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/481,329, for Cummiskey, et al., describes a customizable elastic band including a means for coupling at least one secondary component thereto, wherein the secondary component is adapted to individualize the elastic band. The secondary component includes a printed message, a design, or combination thereof, and may further include electronic circuitry which is adapted to interact with a point of sale system.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/825,988, for Farmer, et al., discloses a bracelet for displaying messages including a continuous elastic band and at least one releasably attached message clip. The clip portion is connected to the body for releasably holding the body on the band, and a message portion is attached to the clip.

It would be desirable, however, to provide stretchable wrist bands that included secret messages that could only be read when the wrist band is in its stretched state. These elastic wrist bands, when in the unstretched state, appear to have an indecipherable design, which can only be deciphered by stretching the wrist band and reading the hidden message.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a stretchable wrist band is provided. The wrist band includes a message printed on an outer portion thereof, wherein the message is indecipherable when the wrist band is in its relaxed state, but the message may be read when the wrist band is stretched out. The wrist bands may also include pictures or designs, rather than (or along with) text, and the pictures or designs may only be properly perceived when the wrist band is in the stretched state.

The wrist bands may be manufactured by stretching the wrist band and printing, engraving, or otherwise applying the message or design to the band while it is in the stretched state. Then, when the band is allowed to return to its relaxed state, the message or design simply looks like an unreadable or random design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretchable wrist band positioned on the wrist of a wearer, wherein the band is in its stretched state and the message “BE MY VALENTINE” is legible on an outer portion thereof; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stretchable wrist band illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the wrist band is positioned on the wrist of a wearer, and wherein the wrist band is in its relaxed state and the message is illegible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a continuous, stretchable wrist band 10 having a message 12 printed on an outer portion thereof, wherein the message 12 is indecipherable when the wrist band 10 is in its relaxed state, but the message 12 may be read when the wrist band 10 is stretched out. FIG. 1 shows a wrist band 10 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, wherein the wrist band 10 is in its stretched state, and wherein the printed message 12 “BE MY VALENTINE” is clearly legible. FIG. 2 shows the wrist band 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the wrist band 10 is in its relaxed state (or “non-stretched” state), and the message 12 is illegible, appearing as a random or indecipherable design.

It is contemplated that the present wrist bands 10 may be used, particularly by children, as a novelty item. A person may give a wrist band 10 with a secret or hidden message 12 to a friend or acquaintance. In order to read the message 12, the receiving party must stretch the wrist band 10 so that the message 12 becomes legible and decipherable. Additionally, the stretchable wrist bands 10 may include a picture or other ornamental design that may only be perceived when the wrist band 10 is in its stretched state.

The wrist bands 10 may be made from any suitable stretchable material. One method for manufacturing the stretchable wrist bands 10 with the hidden messages 12 includes the steps of providing a stretchable wrist band 10, stretching the wrist band 10 to its stretched state (defined as stretched to approximately the elastic limit of the wrist band without breaking or otherwise weakening the band itself) and printing or engraving any desired message 12 or design. Then, when the message 12 or design has been properly printed, engraved, or otherwise affixed to the stretched wrist band 10, the wrist band 10 is allowed to return to the relaxed state, in which the message 12 or design contracts into an unintelligible pattern.

The wrist bands 10 may be printed with a number of different “stock” messages 12, such as BE MY VALENTINE, FRIENDS FOREVER, or any other desired message 12. Alternatively, the wrist bands 10 may be custom manufactured, so that a customer may choose his own message 12 or design of limited size or length, and place an order. Once the order is received by the wrist band manufacturer, the message 12 or design chosen by the customer may be printed on a single or multiple wrist bands 10, which are then delivered to the customer.

It is contemplated that the wrist bands 10 may be used as promotional items by businesses, wherein the business name is printed on the secret wrist bands. The bands 10 may be made of different colors, may include logos of popular sports teams, and may even include glow-in-the-dark material, so that the bands and their hidden messages may glow in the dark. The wrist bands 10 may be used for any other purpose, as well. For instance, a person may desire to have some wrist bands 10 printed with his telephone number or email address, so that the person may hand out the wrist bands 10 with this information to business associates, or even members of the opposite sex, in order to convey contact information.

In another aspect of the present invention, kits may be sold, allowing a person to purchase multiple wrist bands 10 and print their own desired message 12 onto the wristband. The kit may consist of a number of elastic wrist bands 10, and an adjustable ink stamp that may be used to stamp the ink message onto the wrist band 10 while the wrist band 10 is secured in its stretched state. Adjustable ink stamps are commercially available and well-known in the art. These adjustable ink stamps typically include a series of rotating wheels or tracks, wherein each track includes a series of letters and/or numbers. A user can rotate each track, choosing any desired letter or number, in order to formulate the desired message 12. When the message 12 is properly aligned on the adjustable ink stamp, the stamp may be pressed onto an ink pad, and then applied to an outer portion of the wrist band 10 in its stretched state.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stretchable wrist band comprising: an elastic loop including a message, graphic, or ornamental design on an outer portion thereof, wherein said message, graphic, or ornamental design may be perceived when said elastic loop is in a stretched state, and wherein said message, graphic or ornamental design may be seen, but not perceived, when said elastic loop is in a relaxed state.
 2. The stretchable wrist band set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastic loop is a continuous loop.
 3. A method for providing a stretchable wrist band with a hidden message, said method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic loop; stretching said elastic loop; affixing a message, graphic, or ornamental design to an outer portion of said elastic loop while said elastic loop is in a stretched state; and allowing said elastic loop to return to a relaxed state.
 4. The method set forth in claim 3, wherein the step of affixing said message, graphic or ornamental design is selected from the group of printing or engraving.
 5. The method set forth in claim 3, wherein said elastic loop is continuous. 